Debate should be allowed to proceed in the spirit of healthy democratic engagement and the interests of “seeking truth from facts”

Press Statement By Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 11.4.2016.

Whilst I respect views expressed by certain parties that this debate on Taman Manggis or any other topic between Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan and myself should be cancelled, this debate should be allowed to proceed in the spirit of healthy democratic engagement and the interests of “seeking truth from facts”.

Let me reiterate that Abdul Rahman had challenged me to a debate on last Wednesday. I had immediately accepted on Thursday and on Friday evening he happily said he “can’t wait”. After stating he “can’t wait”, he surprised everyone by suddenly saying later on Friday that he was flying off overseas and would only be back on the 15th April.

This has naturally created deep suspicions that he is trying to wriggle out of the debate he had himself proposed. I had therefore fixed a one-week deadline expiring on 16 April night as a test of his sincerity and commitment to proceed with the debate. As he is returning on the 15th April, there is no reason for him to wriggle out and not debate me on the 16th night.

Both RTM and TV3 has offered to broadcast live the debate. Accordingly, Abdul Rahman Dahlan should not backtrack now but suggest his proposed dates for this debate to take place.

LIM GUAN ENG